Cowboy True

Cowboy True includes two separate stories so I’ve reviewed each of them individually below. Audiobook Review: Overall – 4 Performance – 4 Story – 4 Maggie’s Dad: I have to start out by saying that this book was originally published in January of 1995 so it is quite a bit dated by now, but I knew that going in. So, I’m not really going to comment on all of the things that would be considered terribly sexist by current standards. But there is one thing in the story that I looked up before writing this review – HIPAA. HIPAA went into effect in August of 1996 – after this book was published. I’m also quite sure that the book was written and submitted to the publisher well in advance of its actual publication date. I’m saying this because the story contains a serious HIPAA violation but I’ve overlooked that because of the date the book was written. So, ignoring the things I mentioned above, I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I actually became quite absorbed by the story and was a bit frustrated when I had to stop listening to it for a few hours to go do something where I couldn’t continue listening. I love Todd McLaren’s smooth voice but I don’t like his female voices at all. Again, I knew this going in because I’ve listened to several other books he’s narrated by Diana Palmer. I’ve actually gotten pretty good at not cringing when he narrates a female part. 😊 If the opportunity arises to receive review copies of other Diana Palmer / Todd McLaren audiobooks I’m sure I will do so. I cut my romance teeth on stories like this one back in the late 1960’s / early 70’s and I love listening to books of this vintage when I’m not able to pay strict attention to what I’m listening to. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Audiobook Review: Overall – 4 Performance – 4 Story – 4 Champagne Girl: I have to start out by saying that this book was originally published in July of 1997 so it is quite a bit dated by now, but I knew that going in. So, I’m not really going to comment on all of the things that would be considered terribly sexist by current standards. Matt is a true alpha male and Catherine is a pretty independent female (for the time this book was written). The book blurb says he’s Catherine’s stepbrother but the book says he’s a stepcousin. This book was a just a bit over-the-top for me, even allowing for when it was written. Some of the things that Matt says and does were just a little too much. I suspect that is due to my age; if I had read this back when it was published, I probably would have felt differently. I still enjoyed listening to this. Todd McLaren’s voice is pretty dreamy – until it comes to his female voices. I’ve listened to several books where a male narrator does a very credible job with female voices but Todd, not so much. Again, I knew this going in as I’ve listened to several of Diana Palmer’s books that he’s read. The good outweighs the bad and keeps me coming back for more. A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.